Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Alexandre Lacazette and James Milner Rumours

Liverpool have been dealt a big blow in their reported pursuit of star Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette after the Ligue 1 side's president rubbished any link to the Anfield outfit.

Jean-Michel Aulas has denied that Liverpool have made contact with Lyon about Lacazette while also suggesting that their lack of Champions League football next season puts them out of the running to sign the 24-year-old.

French football journalist Julien Laurens reported Aulas' comments, made via Twitter in response to a report linking Lacazette with the Anfield outfit:

Indeed, rumours have abounded of late concerning Liverpool's interest in the France international, with Metro's Tom Olver relaying French reports that "Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has begun negotiations ahead of a summer deal" for Lacazette. 

The links are somewhat unsurprising, as Liverpool are in desperate need of added strength in their strike department, and Lacazette has been one of Europe's best front men of late, netting 27 times in Ligue 1 in 2014-15, per WhoScored.com.

The loss of Luis Suarez to Barcelona last summer and Daniel Sturridge's consistent injury problems were major factors in Liverpool finishing sixth in the 2014-15 season after a second-place Premier League finish the previous term.

Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert—brought in as mooted replacements for Suarez—have been woeful on Merseyside, netting three league goals between them in the entirety of last season, per WhoScored.com.

The decline from title challengers and Champions League qualifiers to also-rans and Europa League participants has put Rodgers' job in jeopardy, with the Telegraph's Thom Gibbs and Bleacher Report's Ryan Bailey discussing his potential replacement:

Liverpool desperately need to bring in some top-quality new recruits over the summer if they are to return to the upper echelons of English football, and they need a consistent goalscorer.

Lacazette would be an ideal signing, but he now seemingly looks out of reach, specifically because Liverpool have dropped out of Europe's elite.

United to Hijack Milner Move 

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In more bad news for the Reds, arch-rivals Manchester United are reportedly set to hijack Liverpool's long-rumoured move for out-of-contract Manchester City midfielder James Milner.

According to Steve Bates in the Sunday People, Red Devils executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has contacted Milner's representatives to inquire about the England international's potential move to Old Trafford.

City are desperate to keep Milner at the Etihad, but the 29-year-old is supposedly dissatisfied with his role at the Sky Blues and is set for new pastures, having run out his contract.

Liverpool looked an obvious destination, but with Milner a potentially adequate replacement for the departing Steven Gerrard in the centre of midfield, Old Trafford could now be beckoning.

However, as noted by the Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst, Milner may not find himself overly welcome at the Theatre of Dreams:

A move to Liverpool looks far more likely. He would be a fine addition at Anfield, with his versatility and experience much-needed attributes following Gerrard's departure.

But Liverpool need to make sure of the transfer quickly, or they may lose out on a welcome new addition.